What is MIME type "text/sgml"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

text/sgml is the MIME type for plain text files that use the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).
It marks up documents with custom tags that define a file's structure and meaning.

SGML was designed to allow creators to build documents with complex hierarchies. It separates content from formatting, which aids in maintaining consistency across large texts.

Structured Documents: Ideal for technical manuals, legal texts, and archival files.
Custom Tag Definitions: Supports creation of industry-specific markup languages.
Historical Influence: Laid the groundwork for modern languages like HTML and XML.

Files with the SGM and SGML extensions use this MIME type.
For further technical details, check out this resource on SGML.

Associated file extensions

.sgm, .sgml

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: text/sgml

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="text/sgml">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/sgml');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.sgm, .sgml

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.